Just like you - 911 fanfiction

014 - Services

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It had been 3 days since I had gotten home from the hospital, and the funeral service for Isla was tomorrow.

Thankfully, I had a ride. Recruit Panikkar who is one of the only recruits I kept in touch with from my class was taking me.

He was also going to the funeral and called me to make sure I was going, when I told him about my injury and how I couldn't attend because my folks had work he insisted on taking me.

I was grateful for him especially since we weren't close, he didn't owe me any favors.

The service for Isla was nice and the whole time I was there I sort of felt empty. Seeing her in that casket looking drained of life really took a toll on me . It felt surreal, all of it.

They had the repass at her aunts house that Ravi and I attended. It was entertaining and something to get my mind off the funeral. I knew isla would want me enjoying my life right now, moving on and seeing past this. Putting it all behind me was going to be difficult though.

The reception consisted of a cookout with people getting angry drunk, sad drunk, or not drunk at all. I was having a good time until the drinks came out. I stayed away from a lot of the drinking and sat at a table with Ravi watching everyone from a distance.

Her aunt, being the host came over to check on us.

"Can I get you guys a drink?" He asked kindly. I turned to Ravi who shook his head quickly.

"Uhm no thanks I'm driving!" He laughed awkwardly. Yeah he was super awkward for some reason.

I followed his lead declining the drink.

"I don't really drink."

The lady nodded her face quickly changing to guilt.

"Oh I'm sorry are you in recovery for alcoholism or something I could get you some water I-"

"No- no! I am not an alcoholic I just don't drink!" I corrected her as she abruptly began to assume the worst.

When she walked away Ravi turned to like he was waiting for her to leave us alone.

"That was weird"

He could say that again.

Not a lot of Islas friends were here, it was just a lot of old folk from her family. A few past teachers and some firefighters from the academy who I recognized.

I saw her sister holding a baby carrier, and inside was Islas nephew. The one she came over with for my help to watch him, colic baby.

He was never gonna remember that when he gets older, and now he has nobody to tell him that story.

You really start to realize the value of life once someone you knew loses theirs. It's crazy to think that just the other day Isla was right in front of me talking and now she's gone.

Ravi and I eventually left the reception party thing after being the outsides creepily sitting in the back for so long. He helped me in his truck and out of it, he was honestly very kind and gentle from what I've seen.

"Thank you again for doing this, it means a lot to me you didn't have too." I told him. He smiled in return shrugging. "Well it's the least I could do, you helped me a lot during the academy."

With that I was helped out of the truck and made my way to the front porch. Waving goodbye I could see his truck drive off in the distance.

He was a good person, and very nice. Maybe too nice, but he hadn't done anything for me to be suspicious of yet.